Social media has taken the world by storm, but what does it mean for the classroom? Schools are struggling to find ways to make effective use of social media, and teachers are trying to figure out whether it’s a good or bad thing. The truth lies somewhere in the middle, and these tips will help you sort through the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of social media in the classroom.
Positive
Increased collaboration between students can lead to increased academic success. This is because social media provides a safe place for students to seek help from each other when working through problems in class. One study even found that a single student response to a question led to better test scores than multiple attempts at solving it alone. The bottom line: If you want students to do their best work, facilitate as much collaboration as possible in your classroom environment. There are many ways to accomplish this goal, but using social media will allow you access to all of them. For example, Twitter allows users to create hashtags that organize conversations around specific topics or themes. You could use hashtags like #mathhelp or #englishdiscussion to encourage discussions about particular subjects or reading material. Or if you're looking for more general discussion, try something like #teachertweets—students could discuss anything they wanted under one umbrella topic! With Facebook groups, teachers can create forums where students discuss homework assignments or pose questions they need help with. It's also important to note that these platforms also provide an excellent way for students to interact outside of school hours. That means they'll be able to ask questions while they’re still fresh in their minds instead of waiting until after class, which increases overall comprehension and retention. Negative: While most people think of social media as a positive thing, there are some negatives associated with its use in schools. For starters, cyberbullying has become increasingly common among young adults and teenagers who have easy access to technology like cell phones and computers. It’s important for educators to take time during new-student orientation or parent-teacher conferences to remind parents about setting up parental controls on devices that might be used by children at school.
Negative
First off, let’s address some of social media’s drawbacks as they relate to classroom environments. First off is distraction. Using any type of social media in a lecture setting can cause students to become distracted by checking their Facebook feed or doing any number of other things that have nothing to do with learning. Studies have shown that not only does social media negatively affect grades but also intellectual performance can fall by up to 20%. Another negative aspect of social media use in classrooms is its effect on interpersonal relationships. While there are plenty of studies showing that face-to-face interactions are better for developing healthy relationships than online interactions, it’s still true that technology has made it easier for people to be more distant from each other rather than closer. Finally, cyberbullying has been an issue since online communities started forming—and it doesn't look like it'll be going away anytime soon. Students who bully others online may think they're anonymous but many schools are now using sophisticated tracking software to identify those responsible for cyberbullying whether or not their identity is known; and consequences are being handed out accordingly. Positive: Now onto some of the positive aspects of using social media in classrooms! For starters, social media allows teachers to connect with students outside of class hours which can help facilitate a deeper level of understanding between both parties. Teachers can also post assignments and study guides online so that students don't have to waste time searching for them during class time. Additionally, teachers could even post questions or topics for discussion prior to lectures so that students aren't left wondering what will be covered on exam day (or worse yet, unprepared). And while most people agree that face-to-face interaction is best when it comes to building personal relationships with peers, there's no denying how convenient it would be if your study group could get together 24/7 without ever having to leave your dorm room!
Unforeseen
It’s hard to think that a tool that was once used to send quick notes to friends has now become one of teachers' biggest problems. Not only can students use social media outlets in inappropriate ways (like cyberbullying), but they can also be incredibly distracting. With constant notifications popping up on your screen, it can be difficult to keep focus during class or direct your attention towards something more constructive. Be sure to set guidelines for how you want students using social media during class, as well as after school. If you don't want them using it at all, tell them so. If you do allow usage, make sure they understand what is appropriate and what isn't. Students are often surprisingly receptive to these rules if you explain them clearly. They'll appreciate knowing what will happen if they choose not to follow them, too. While some people may argue that there is no place for social media in schools, many teachers have found creative ways to incorporate sites like Facebook into their lessons by having students discuss current events or post interesting links and videos related to whatever topic they're studying. Just remember—if you're going to allow any kind of online activity during class time, it should be consistent across all subjects; otherwise, your policies will seem hypocritical and unenforceable.
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